We propose to conduct a large international factorial randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the impact of perioperative administration of acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA) versus placebo and clonidine versus placebo on the composite outcome of vascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction at 30 days in at risk patients (defined as patients with, or at risk of, atherosclerotic disease) undergoing noncardiac surgery. The POISE-2 Pilot will inform the feasibility of conducting this large RCT.

IMPI: Investigation of the Management of Pericarditis- Bongani Mayosi (Capetown, South Africa); $130,000; Developing Countries Working Group

The IMPI (Investigation of the Management of Perciarditis) trial is a multi-centre double-blind, 2x2 factorial design randomized control trial to determine if prednisone and or mycobacterium with immunotherapy can decrease mortality and pericardial complications (i.e. constriction and tamponade) in those with evidence of definite or probably tuberculous pericarditis. The study will enroll approximately 800 patients from South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria and India. The study is coordinated from the IMPI Project Office located at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Research question: Is the high risk of CVD in women with a history of eclampsia explained by microalbuminuria or other CV risk factors such as age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, degree of dysglycemia, smoking, adiposity, poor diet, lack of alcohol, lack of exercise, psychological stress, hormone replacement therapy or ethnicity?